Hyderabad: Traffic police in Hyderabad have launched round-the-clock drunk driving checks, extending enforcement to daytime hours following a spike in road accidents and multiple violations by school vehicle drivers.
Joint Commissioner of Traffic Joel Davis ordered the intensified action after 35 drivers operating school buses, vans, and autos were found intoxicated during routine inspections last month. In one instance, a driver recorded a blood alcohol reading of 400 mg/100ml.
The move follows directives from City Police Commissioner CV Anand and includes random checks during school hours. Checks have already begun in high-traffic junctions, including Mint Compound and Khairatabad under the supervision of senior traffic officers.
Hyderabad’s drive against drunk driving is hitting hard this year. More than 30,000 cases have already been booked in the first half of 2024 alone. Around 1,300 of those drivers didn’t just get fined—they ended up serving jail time, anywhere from a single day to almost three weeks.
Officials have also moved to tighten the screws on repeat violators. Out of 4,500 cases flagged for potential license cancellation, 2,800 have been officially sent up for review, and 853 licenses have already been revoked.
Taking things a step further, police have written to the Transport and Education Departments, pushing for morning and evening sobriety checks on school drivers—a move aimed at keeping kids safe during their daily commutes.
While public sentiment largely backs the tough approach, not everyone’s thrilled. Some motorists have complained that police are setting up checks at major intersections during peak hours, leading to traffic snarls. Authorities had earlier promised to stick to less congested areas—but clearly, that plan’s evolved.
Meanwhile, City Police Commissioner Joel Davis had a stern warning: school drivers caught driving under the influence won’t just lose their licenses—they’ll be arrested on the spot.
